Are you ready for some chills and thrills? Haunted places, ghost stories, and eerie legends await discovery along the Franklin County PA Fright Sites Trail.
From Bigfoot sightings at Caledonia State Park to the ghostly tales of the Old Jail in Chambersburg, these spooky spots aren’t just for Halloween. You can explore all year long—if you dare!
FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA FRIGHT SITES TRAIL
While on a media trip in Pennsylvania’s Franklin County, I visited all ten haunted places. I definitely got spooked at a few of them, but mostly, I had fun and reveled in the fall foliage!
Pro Tip: You can pick up a printed copy of the Fright Sites Trail brochure (pictured above) at the Franklin County Visitors Center in Chambersburg or download a copy from the website.
Dykeman Pond Ghost Story
The Legend: Mary Dykeman haunts this picturesque spot, still searching for her baby, who tragically drowned in the 1800s. Mary blamed herself for the death and died shortly after. Visitors say you can still hear her desperate cries by the pond. Walk the trails, and if you’re feeling brave, say, “Mary, I’ve got your baby.”
My Experience: I didn’t see or hear Mary at Dykeman Pond, but the setting was stunning. I only wish I’d had more time to explore the trails—and to listen a little longer, though I wouldn’t be brave enough to tell Mary I had her baby, no way!
Bigfoot Sightings – Caledonia State Park
The Legend: Bigfoot hunters, this one’s for you! Sasquatch sightings have been reported around the trails in the dense woods of Caledonia State Park. Watch for large footprints or stray hairs as you hike the trails. Who knows, you might have your own run-in with the elusive Bigfoot!
My Experience: No Bigfoot sightings for me! While I’m skeptical about hairy human-like cryptids lurking in the woods, Caledonia State Park was a surprise, especially with the fall colors in full blaze. The beautiful creek winding through the park and the historic remnants of Thaddeus Steven’s old iron furnace made it well worth the trip. I want to come back and hike along the trails.
Mont Alto State Park Haunted Tales
The Legend: Mont Alto State Park, Pennsylvania’s oldest state park, has a haunted history to match its age. Visitors report sightings of Sarah Hurley Matheny, tragically killed in a crime of passion, and Colonel George Wiestling, a former iron furnace owner. Sarah was murdered by her jealous boyfriend, William Reed, who was later hung for the murder at the Old Jail in Chambersburg. Their spirits are said to wander the park and nearby Penn State Mont Alto campus, especially in the historic Wiestling Hall.
My Experience: We followed the trail from the old dance pavilion at Mont Alto State Park over to Wiestling Hall on the Penn State Mont Alto campus, ghost-hunting apps in hand to track “spirit words” along the way. While we didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary, watching the words pop up made the hike even more fun—especially since many seemed tied to the school setting. Freaky!
Monterey Pass Civil War Ghosts
The Legend: Monterey Pass is haunted by the restless spirits of Civil War soldiers who died during the Battle of Monterey Pass, the second-largest Civil War battle. In the middle of a thunderstorm, nearly 10,000 Yankee and Rebel soldiers clashed here, with about 200 dying. Feel a sudden chill? It might just be one of those ghostly soldiers still standing guard.
My Experience: We started our hike on Maria Furnace Road, the same rough dirt path Confederate wagons used to retreat from Gettysburg. Soldiers called the South Mountain area “Mount Misery” for good reason—the roads were nearly impossible to navigate. Walking the trails, it wasn’t hard to picture just how grueling this journey would have been, with all the rocky outcroppings and steep paths.
No direct paranormal encounters this time, but the spirit words on our app were definitely active! I was relieved not to spot any ghostly soldiers here like the ones I saw on a nighttime ghost tour at a battlefield in Goldsboro, North Carolina—yikes! Thankfully, I visited Monterey Pass during daylight hours.
Renfrew Museum Haunted History
The Legend: The story has many versions, but each centers on the tragic murder of sisters Sarah and Jane Renfrew by a raiding party. Their apparitions have reportedly been seen along Antietam Creek.
My Experience: The museum’s park is absolutely stunning—I could have wandered the grounds for hours with the sugar maples ablaze in fall colors. But curiosity got the best of me, so I entered the visitor center to dig into the legend. The tale of the Renfrew sisters has been passed down through generations, with names and details added over time. One chilling version claims that a hunting party tracked down the raiders, killed and scalped them, and placed the scalps on the girls’ graves just before burial.
Here’s the twist: no physical or archaeological evidence exists that the Renfrew family ever existed! Emma K. Geiser Nicodemus bequeathed the property to the Borough of Waynesboro, requesting it be named “Renfrew.” Pretty wild, huh?
Ebbert Spring Hauntings
The Legend: The mist rising from the spring isn’t just fog… or is it? This historic site, dating back to the 1750s, has seen its share of raids and tragedy. The spirits of those who once sheltered here are said to roam the area, their presence lingering in the air as you explore the old homestead.
My Experience: All I felt here were peaceful vibes, and I wished I’d had more time to explore the grounds. The site fascinated me even before I reached the springhouse—interpretive signs are scattered throughout, detailing the rich history and artifacts uncovered here. (I even saw some of those artifacts at the Allison-Antrim Museum!)
Allison-Antrim Museum Ghosts
The Legend: An old house with a seriously haunted history! A former resident, Emily had frequent eerie encounters in her room, spotted shadowy apparitions in the hallway, and witnessed strange occurrences—like window blinds moving independently. Since the museum opened, staff and visitors have reported ghostly faces, mysterious figures in period dress, doors locking and unlocking on their own, and even children giggling. Spooky, right?
My Experience: During our tour, the ghost-hunting app started generating some chilling words: “fatal,” “knife,” “hang,” “priest,” and “trapped.” In the medical men’s collection room, the atmosphere grew even more unsettling as the app picked up terms like “choking,” “sin,” “blood,” and “lead,” all while we examined various medical tools and poisonous substances. It was a creepy experience but undeniably fun!
Conococheague Institute Ghost Sightings
The Legend: Step back into the 1700s, where you might cross paths with a lingering spirit or two! The Davis-Chambers House, one of the rare homesteads to survive the French and Indian War, holds onto more than just history—its spirits never quite left. As the sun dips below the horizon, the atmosphere turns undeniably eerie.
My Experience: I didn’t notice anything unusual at this living history museum, though being the last visitor as daylight faded did leave me a bit uneasy. Maybe it was just the quiet! I’d love to return for one of their Friday tours to explore the property more thoroughly. The grounds are open daily, with kiosks that share insights about the historic farmstead, outbuildings, and lives of its early settlers.
Pond Bank White Lady Legend
The Legend: The story of the White Lady is a classic ghost tale with a Franklin County twist. Said to roam the roads and ponds near Pond Bank, this grieving spirit searches endlessly for her lost child. Locals have heard her eerie cries—will you?
My Experience: The fall colors mirrored on the dark water were stunning, but the pond had a seriously unsettling vibe—especially since I was the only one there. My ghost app added to the chills, showing spirit words uncannily linked to the drowning legend: “still,” “bank,” “cry,” “drink,” and “this.” Absolutely freaked me out!
Old Jail Chambersburg Ghost Tour
The Legend: Want a real fright? The Old Jail is known for its haunted past, with tortured souls still roaming its cells. Visitors report hearing strange noises, feeling unexplained touches, and seeing shadows move. William Reed, Sarah’s murderer from the Mont Alto State Park fright site (above), was hanged here—maybe he’s still lurking around. Schedule a tour if you’re feeling brave!
My Experience: This was probably the spookiest of all the haunted places I visited. I took the ghost tour, which I highly recommend and will write about separately—stay tuned! But suffice it to say it’s creepy there, mainly since hangings occurred. The gallows are still in the courtyard.
Later that evening, I attended the haunted house event inside the Old Jail. We spent 15-20 minutes navigating the jail’s dark, winding maze of rooms, and I laughed almost the entire time! I love the corny scares, though I admit I wasn’t brave enough to be at the front or the back of our group, so I had plenty of “protection” in the middle!
Other Haunted Franklin County Historic Sites
While not on the official Franklin County PA Fright Sites trail, here are a few more haunted Chambersburg locations you may want to check out as you explore the area.
- Capitol Theatre
- Wilson College
- The Inn at Ragged Edge (I’ve stayed there!)
- Franklin County Courthouse
Final Thoughts
What struck me most while exploring was how beautiful this area is—the incredible mountain views and scenic landscapes! Whether you’re here for the ghost stories or to soak up the scenery, the Franklin County PA Fright Sites Trail will leave you with unforgettable memories.
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